Head of IP Legal

Company description:

"Founded in 1927, the Volvo Group is committed to driving prosperity and shaping the future landscape through sustainable transport, mobility, and infrastructure solutions. By offering trucks, buses, construction equipment, power solutions for marine and industrial applications, financing and services that increase our customers’ uptime and productivity. Our headquarters are in Gothenburg, Sweden. Volvo Group shares are listed on Nasdaq Stockholm."

Job description:

Volvo Group IP are now looking for the new leader of our IP Legal team in Volvo Group IP.

Who are we, your new colleagues? What is our offer to you?

Volvo Group IP handles intellectual property matters for the complete Volvo Group – which by that includes not only Volvo Trucks but also e.g. Volvo Buses, Volvo Penta, Volvo Construction Equipment and autonomous solutions– in a business-integrated, strategic setup with a proactive approach. Volvo Group IP is part of the Truck Technology & Industrial (TTI) division’s Legal & Volvo Group IP function, where we work close to technology and business to enable innovation and protect value. We are currently located in Sweden, France, USA, South Korea and India.

Volvo Group IP consists of three teams: IP Legal, Patents and IP Strategy & Portfolio, reporting to Head of Volvo Group IP. Volvo Group IP is taking care of the complete life cycle of trademarks, designs and patents, supporting and advising in strategic partnerships, licensing and other complex IP related agreements, driving enforcement and defense matters and handling IP risk assessments.

 Our IP Legal team, which you would be leading, consists of seven senior experts in IP law, dispute resolution, risk assessments and contract drafting and negotiation. In the team we have Trademark and Design Counsels, Legal Counsels IP and Patent Enforcement Attorneys. The team collaborates with stakeholders from all over Volvo Group. 

As Head of the IP Legal team, you will be part of our Volvo Group IP leadership team, consisting of three team-Heads as well as Head of Volvo Group IP. In this leadership team, we work together in a collaborative, supportive and transparent way. In your role, you are expected to drive and suggest synergies in department activities and steps needed for the department to continuously evolve and develop.

Who are you? Are we a perfect match?

You are a true collaborator—low prestige, high trust—who gets things done and helps others succeed. You thrive in a fast-moving environment, embrace change and new challenges, and you spot what needs to happen next. You combine a can-do mindset with sound judgement, and you are valued for your energy, clarity and ability to turn strategy into action.

As a leader, you create a safe, inclusive and high-performing team environment where people dare to speak up, challenge assumptions and think outside the box. You coach and develop your team and actively invest in your own growth. You inspire and motivate through direction, transparency and accountability, and you build strong partnerships across the business to deliver impact.

We also believe you have:

• Master of Laws or equivalent legal qualification.
• Alternatively, a Master of Science in Engineering with substantial IP/patent risk and dispute resolution experience.
• 10+ years’ experience in IP (in-house and/or private practice), covering a broad mix of advisory, transactional and contentious matters.
• Established expertise across key IP areas (patents, trademarks and designs), including enforcement/defense, licensing/strategic agreements and IP risk management.
• Experience leading complex IP disputes or high-stakes negotiations in an international environment is considered a strong merit.
• Strong business acumen: experience from automotive/industrial technology and comfort with digital tools is a plus.
• Ability to set direction and translate strategy into clear priorities and execution.
• Proven people leadership experience, including coaching, performance management and team development.
• Excellent communication skills in English, both written and spoken.
• Strong stakeholder management skills and ability to partner with senior leaders across a global organization.